This was sent to me, with love, and now I pass it along to all of you.

Love,'

Luanne

The Postal Service No One Hears About

Our 14 year old dog, Abbey died last month. The day after she died, my
four year old daughter, Meredith, was crying and talking about how much
she missed Abby. She asked if we could write a letter to God so that
when Abbey got to heaven, God would recognize her.

She dictated and I wrote:

Dear God,

Will you please take special care of our dog, Abbey? She died yesterday
and is in heaven. We miss her very much. We are happy that you let us
have her as our dog even though she got sick. I hope that you will play
with her. She liked to play with balls and swim before she got sick.

I am sending some pictures of her so that when you see her in heaven you
will know she is our special dog. But I really do miss her.

Love,
Meredith Claire

P. S. Mommy wrote the words after I told them to her.

We put that in an envelope with two pictures of Abbey, and addressed it
to God in Heaven. We put our return address on it. Then Meredith stuck
some stamps on the front (because, as she said, it may take lots of
stamps to get a letter all the way to heaven) and that afternoon I let
her drop it into the letter box at the post office.

For a few days, she would ask if God had gotten the letter yet. I told
her that I thought He had.

Yesterday there was a package wrapped in gold paper on our front porch.
Curious, I went to look at it. It had a gold star card on the front and
said, "To Meredith", in an unfamiliar hand. Meredith took it in and
opened it.

Inside was a book by Mr. Rogers, "When a Pet Dies". Taped to the inside
front cover was the letter we had written to God, in its opened envelope
(which was marked "Return to Sender: Insufficient address).

On the opposite page, one of the pictures of Abbey was taped under the
words "For Meredith". We turned to the back cover, and there was the
other picture of Abbey, and this handwritten note on pink paper:

Dear Meredith,

I know that you will be happy to know that Abbey arrived safely and
soundly in Heaven! Having the pictures you sent to me was such a big
help. I recognized Abbey right away.

You know, Meredith, she isn't sick anymore. Her spirit is here with
me--just like she stays in your heart--young and running and playing.
Abbey loved being your dog, you know.

Since we don't need our bodies in heaven, I don't have any pockets!--so I
can't keep your beautiful letter. I am sending it to you with the
pictures so that you will have this book to keep and remember Abbey.

One of my angels is taking care of this for me. I hope the little book
helps. Thank you for the beautiful letter. Thank your mother for
sending it.

What a wonderful mother you have! I picked her especially for you.

I send my blessings every day, and remember that I love you very much.

By the way, I am in heaven but wherever there is love, I am there also.

Love,
God and the special angel who wrote this after God told her the words.

As a parent and a pet lover, this is one of the kindest things that I've
every experienced. I have no way to know who sent it, but there is some
very kind soul working in the dead letter office. Just wanted to share
this act of compassion.